Monday, November 29, 2010

We had a super busy, but very nice weekend with good friends and LOTS of food. Saturday Michelle & Alex hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, where we stuffed ourselves with all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Good stuff! Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday, and I'm happy and thankful we got to celebrate it even though we are now back in Europe.

Sunday was Bjarni's birthday and the first Sunday of Advent, so we invited his colleagues + spouses and kids over to celebrate both with waffles and glögg (mulled wine, Scandinavian style). When people left it had started snowing... Ayy, and that fits right into my growing Christmas mood.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I have for long been meaning to make a mobile to hang by the changing table, but couldn't figure out how to hang it from our very high ceiling (it is out of reach). I ended up going for something I could simply hang on the wall, and made this cloud mobile (inspired by these beauties) out of some of the felt I got to make for Silja's Halloween costume.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Playing with Silja and finally watching the old British movie The Third Man, which takes place in post-war Vienna. One of the best things about fall and winter is candles! It's a Scandinavian must during the dark seasons and oh so cosy.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Saint Peter's Church in Vatican City; Silja checking out her own reflection in the big mirrors of the hotel and the BEST tiramisu we had in Rome (take away as was the rest of our dinner that night from a nearby restaurant so the princess could get her beauty sleep...)

Cappuccino break

Finding peace and tranquility in Villa Borghese. Ahhh...

and finally Bjarni throwing a coin in Trevi fountain to make sure we come back some other time.

(Note to self: Remember a picture with all three of us in it next time...)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I am sooo enjoying my maternity leave, and the fall weather fits perfectly with reading good books and trying out new recipes. After last week's Italian adventure it feels great to take it slow here at home.

Yesterday I made my own müesli, which turned out really good. (The recipe can be found here - English version in the bottom..)

Monday, November 8, 2010

We are back in Vienna after six days in Italy, which was mostly sunny, relaxed and charming but at times and to no surprise also challenging with a small baby. We spent 4 days in the small historic town Viterbo north of Rome, where Bjarni participated in a workshop, and Silja and myself enjoyed the change of scenery with lots of walks in cute old cobblestoned streets and lots of naps back at the hotel (yep, naps for both of us!). After Bjarni finished the workshop, we headed to Rome for one and a half day before flying back to Vienna. Rome was too chaotic and noisy for little Silja (and the mommy, who cares a great deal about those naps that are necessary in order to avoid a cranky baby). Also it was surprisingly difficult to get around with a stroller.

Anyhow, it was my first time in Italy, and I'd love to come back to explore more of the country some other time. I took so many pictures so more will be posted here as I try to organize them.